Thailand Morning News For August 17

CAAT helps airlines hit by ICAO ban
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has agreed to allow airlines required to halt international flights during the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) red-flag re-evaluation next month to operate an additional domestic flight per day per route until January.
— Bangkok Post

Two more suspects in extortion of Singaporean businessman arrested
Two more suspects wanted for the abduction and extortion of a Singaporean businessman were arrested on Tuesday (Aug 15), raising total suspects arrested to 10.
— Thai PBS

Travellers being warned they could face prison time for using e-cigarettes in Thailand
ELECTRONIC cigarettes may be widely used by smokers as a quitting aid but travellers are being warned they could face a lengthy prison sentence if they are caught with one in Thailand.
— News.com.au

Airline profits hit turbulence in Q2
The second quarter was a weak period for the four SET-listed airlines, with only one declaring a (sharply lower) profit.
— Bangkok Post

Medical procurement delay could cost lives, say advocates
PATIENT HEALTH advocates are on the verge of losing their patience as authorities remain undecided on how they will procure medical supplies for the universal healthcare scheme in the new fiscal year, which will start on October 1.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

Secret trial: the reason why Pai Dao Din pleaded guilty
The defence lawyer of Pai Dao Din has revealed that the renowned democracy activist chose to plead guilty because he was being tried in camera, meaning observers and media were not allowed into the courtroom.
— Prachatai English

Lowest home loan rate offered by GH Bank
GH Bank is to introduce home loans at an initial interest of 2.9% a year and a repayment term of 40 years in order to meet its lending target of 178 billion baht for this year, said bank president Chatchai Sirilai on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

PM complains he cannot do anything due to persistent NGOs’ resistance
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on Tuesday (Aug 15) pleaded with NGOs not to oppose every development project of the government to the extent that the government is unable to kickstart any project.
— Thai PBS

Bank of Thailand holds key rate steady, eyes on strong baht
The Bank of Thailand on Wednesday left its benchmark interest rate unchanged again at 1.5%, showing it feels the level is low enough to aid an economic recovery hampered by high household debt levels.
— Bangkok Post

Siam Technology College to participate in World Solar Challenge 2017 in Australia
A team of students and faculty from Siam Technology College is preparing to submit solar-powered car projects to the World Solar Challenge 2017 in Australia, as part of its policy of supporting practical learning outside the classroom.
— NBT World (video)

Indian Ocean storms to whip up floods
The northeastern region is expected to see another round of flooding next month as two more weakened storms are forecast to swipe the country.
— Bangkok Post

City Hall to hand out rewards to informants of motorcyclists on pavements
Litterbugs, motorcyclists who ride on the pavements and sidewalk vendors in Bangkok beware! You are being watched by countless people who will report your misconduct to the city officials – for a reward.
— Thai PBS

True eyes big spenders with deluxe co-working space
True Corporation Plc will spend 120 million baht on expanding its high-end co-working space, TrueSphere, with the aim to retain high-spending customers.
— Bangkok Post

E-commerce sees gain in popularity
E-commerce is one of the top five most popular activities of Thai mobile users, according to a survey by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA).
— Bangkok Post

Monarchy always shows mercy in lese majeste cases: Prayut
THE MONARCHY always shows mercy to those who commit lese majeste crimes, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday in response to student activist Jatupat Boonpattarararaksa being jailed for two years and six months.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

“Bikini party” host faces legal action
Kanchanaburi provincial police yesterday (Aug 15) charged raft operator and his daughter for illegal advertising of alcohol after they held a riverine bikini party which went on Facebook Live for six hours.
— Thai PBS

Prosecutors file papers ahead of Yingluck verdict
IN THE lead-up to the August 25 verdict, public prosecutors have submitted 376 pages of documents to the Supreme Court to substantiate claims of wrongdoing by former premier Yingluck Shinawatra and others concerning the previous government’s rice-pledging scheme and allegedly fake export deals.
— The Nation

Int’l community tourism conference held in Phuket
Community tourism representatives of 10 ASEAN member countries have attended a conference and exhibition on international community tourism to exchange knowledge and strengthen cooperation.
— NBT World (video)

Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair 2017 to celebrate its 60th edition
The Ministry of Commerce will organize the 60th edition of the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair from September 6th-10th at the Challenger Hall of IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, in order to polish Thailand into the world’s gems and jewelry hub.
— NBT World (video)

Asean investments urged
VAST opportunities await Thai investors in neighbouring countries, experts said yesterday at a forum on overseas investment hosted by the Board of Investment (BOI) and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
— The Nation (annoying popups)

Cabinet extends VAT reduction for another year
The Cabinet has approved a one-year extension to the value-added tax (VAT) reduction policy, keeping the VAT rate at 7 percent until September next year.
— NBT World (video)

Business registrations continue on upward trend in July
The number of business registrations in July posted a 22 percent increase year-on-year due to economic recovery and the government’s investment stimulus measures.
— NBT World (video)

Country Group prepares Bt13 billion M&A war chest
COUNTRY Group Holdings Plc (CGH) plans to spend up to Bt13 billion on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) for the rest of this year with a focus on hospitality and energy businesses at home and abroad, chief executive |officer Tommy Taechaubol said.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

Fitch Affirms Mercedes-Benz (Thailand)’s MTN Programme at ‘AAA(tha)’
Fitch Ratings (Thailand) Limited has affirmed the National Long-Term Rating on Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Limited’s (MBTh) medium-term debenture programme of up to THB15 billion at ‘AAA(tha)’.
— Reuters

Thailand to host rubber council meeting amid price worries
Asia’s top rubber producers will meet in Thailand in September, an official at Thailand’s rubber authority said on Wednesday, with export curbs to help boost prices likely to be on the agenda.
— Reuters

PM, DWR say developments in water management necessary
The Director-General of the Department of Water Resources has voiced belief that the office’s shift to the auspices of the Prime Minister’s Office will allow for more clarity in its work with the Prime Minister stating that the set up of a National Water Resource Office is to improve work in the management of water.
— NNT

DPM Prawit expects tamed crowd on Aug 25
Just over 1,000 people are expected to turn up at the Supreme Court next Friday to lend moral support to embattled former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra as she hears the court’s ruling in the rice-pledging case, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said.
— Bangkok Post

Transport Ministry to report on high-speed rail project at mobile cabinet meeting next week
The Ministry of Transport will report the progress of the high-speed rail project for Bangkok – Nakhon Ratchasima route, under the cooperation between the Thai and Chinese governments to the mobile cabinet’s meeting next week.
— NNT

Reform commissions need time, politicians can participate in reconciliation bid: PM
The Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha called on all sides to give time for the reform commissions to work while opening options for politicians to participate in reconciliation process.
— NNT

Thailand and Myanmar mark 20th anniversary of first Friendship bridge
Thailand and Myanmar yesterday (Aug 15) held a joint ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Thai-Myanmar Friendship bridge in Mae Sot district of Tak province.
— Thai PBS

Prayut urges regional development, aid to poor
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday instructed state agencies to map out budgets for fiscal 2019 to focus on regional development and the country’s 20-year national strategic plan to reduce income disparity.
— Bangkok Post

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Thailand Morning News For August 17 added by John Le Fevre on August 17, 2017
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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.

He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.

In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.

Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.

In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.